The Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) announced its regional coach and staff of the year awards following the 2026 season. For the first time since 2002, the Herons swept the regional coaching honors. Head Coach Paul Bugenhagen was named the Regional Coach of the Year, while Bugenhagen and Assistant Coach Callista Crisonino earned the Regional Staff of the Year award.
Bugenhagen and Crisonino directed the Herons to the program's 10th Liberty League Championship and first since 2016, earning the Herons' 14th NCAA Championship appearance. Their crews won three gold medals and a silver medal at the league championships adding two silvers and a bronze at states. William Smith began the spring racing season ranked 10th in the CRCA poll and remained in the top 10 throughout the campaign, achieving its highest ranking in the final poll, landing at No. 3.
Bugenhagen and Crisonino were also voted the Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year. Bugenhagen joined the HWS coaching staff as Hobart rowing's head coach in 2011. He coached both Hobart and William Smith from 2020-23. Since the start of the 2023-24 season, he has coached the Herons exclusively, while serving as HWS' director of rowing. Crisonino has been with the Herons since the start of the 2024-25 season.